Retail

While we were messing around with news that Bike Magazine et. al. was being sold to American Media last Thursday we totally missed the other bicycle media story that went down on January 31, 2019. And that was this: Emerald Events, the owner of the “on hold” Interbike trade show has off-loaded Bicycle Retailer and Industry News to VeloNew’s parent company Pocket Outdoor Media, according to a story on VeloNews.

“Bringing BRAIN into Pocket Outdoor Media is a little piece of history coming full circle,” said Felix Magowan, chairman of Pocket Outdoor Media. “VeloNews helped establish BRAIN in 1992 and this acquisition means we will continue BRAIN’s legacy of authoritative industry coverage,” Magowan said.

Not exactly sure how this will go for Pocket as recent changes in the business landscape seem to suggest that there are neither bicycle retailers, nor bicycle media consumers in general, but good luck with that. Nice to know BRIAN (as they call it) will have a home with a company with at least a sentimental attachment to cycling. For the whole story, please click the link.

With an Instagram post of their Oakland, California store front and the words “We Out” Manifesto Bike Shop is calling it quits. Here’s what they said:

That’s right. After nearly 11 years in business, we are calling it quits. Out last day open will be Thursday, January 31. It has been a good run.

Though we never made it to the shop, it was always good to see what legendary Sacto skateboarder Sam Cunningham and co-founder MacKay Gibbs were up to with the shop. We’re certain they will be missed. Hopefully, Sam will let us know what’s next for him.

For 2017 Garmin and turned up their team sponsorship and now officially sponsors five world tour teams and four mountain biking teams. Which teams exactly? Here you go: Cannondale-Drapac Pro, Movistar, Astana Pro Team, FDJ Pro Team and Team Dimension Data for Qhubeka. On the mountain bike side they’ve got Trek Factory Racing, CLIF Pro Team, CUBE Action Team, and Scott-SRAM.

“Garmin started sponsoring professional cycling teams nearly a decade ago, and we are excited to continue our commitment to the sport,” said Jon Cassat, Garmin vice president of communications. “As a leader in cycling technology, we are proud to provide the teams with top- of-the-line products – from GPS bike computers to cycling awareness accessories and multisport GPS watches – for training, racing and adventure in between.”

Garmin will be outfitting the teams with Edge cycling computers, Varia radar-equipped tail lights, plus Forerunner and Fenix GPS smartwatches all around. Kind of makes us want to get on a world pro team, you know, for the smart watches. . . right?

Folsom, California’s Bicycles Plus, like many bike shops, has gone through a couple iterations over the past five years. First as an independent, then as a “Trek store,” and now as the twelfth link in the Mike’s Bikes chain.

The good news is that through all this Folsom cyclists still have a good bike shop. The fact that it’s right around the corner from Karen’s Bakery is just cream in the coffee.

Mike’s Bikes Folsom, located at 705 Gold Lake Dr #320 in Folsom, California, will host their grand opening is this Saturday, October 10, 2015 beginning at 10 AM.

Australia may be best known for its unique animals and the Great Barrier Reef, but North American cyclists may be surprised to learn that it’s home to a multitude of small scale, fashion-driven bike apparel brands as well.

Maybe it’s the constant sunshine, temperate climate, and striking scenery, but Australian cyclists seem hellbent on wearing kits that stand out both on the road and while sipping an espresso.

Next time you find yourself bemoaning another day in your standby team kit, think about a refresh with a new kit from Pedal Mafia, Road And Dirt Apparel, Cream Cycling, STëLF Cycling, and Black Sheep Cycling. Follow the jump to see our favorites…

“Mountain biking is at the core of who we are as a brand and being able to extend our expert gear knowledge to the trail and support the sport is a priority,” said Jill Layfield, CEO at backcountry.com. “Assembling a pro team of this caliber that possesses the tools to compete at the highest level is a natural extension of our cycling brands and culture.” . . The Mountain Bike Team will be managed by pro rider Jason Sager. Sager took 2nd overall at the 2013 Sudety MTB Challenge stage race in Poland, and 4th overall at the 2013 Mongolian Bike Challenge. In addition to Sager, team riders include: Chloe Woodruff, Evelyn Dong, and TJ Woodruff.

Know a great bike mechanic? Someone who you think it’s getting the recognition they deserve? Someone who turns your bike around same day and doesn’t make you wait a week to find out nothing was done on your bike? If you do WD-40 Bike would like to know about them for their new Wrench of the Month program.

“The bike shop mechanic is often the un-sung hero of the cycling industry” offered WD-40 BIKE’s Mike Irwin, “There is a hidden story behind every well-running bike – that of a dedicated mechanic who takes pride in each machine and its rider. Our Wrench of the Month program is a salute to the folks who make riding safer, smoother and more enjoyable.”

If you are this mechanic, or know one click right here for nominate yourself, or your mechanic. Monthly winners will get an assortment of WD-40 Bike products and merch. For instance, February’s winner was Eric Faifer of Tom’s Bicycles in Tulsa, Oklahoma. For all the details, or to watch Faifer build a wheel blindfolded, follow the jump. [click to continue…]

The other day while buying cheese at Costco, we noticed a brand new Cannondale 29er and had a hard time believing our eyes. When we asked an employee if there were more, she told us the bike had been purchased at a Poway, California store and that a guy was trying to return it.

Turns out Cannondale found out about the bikes and have shut them down, according to a story in Bicycle Retailer.

Some Costco outlets are offering a “limited amount” of Cannondale bikes, according to a letter that the company’s Dave Manchester sent to U.S. retailers on Tuesday. Manchester is senior vice president of North American sales and marketing for Dorel’s cycling sports group, which includes Cannondale. . . “We’ve identified a distributor outside of the United States who conducted the unauthorized sale of their supply to this mass retailer. Action has been taken against this distributor and they are no longer part of our distributor network. Additionally, the bikes will not be covered under any warranty,” Manchester said in the letter.

So let’s see. Cannondale made their money selling bikes to the distributor. The distributor got theirs. Costco got paid. But the buyers of the bike? No, Cannondale says they’re screwed for buying their bike at a good price and the company is not going to honor the warranty. How’s that for customer service? Come on Cannondale! Don’t blame the customer for your screw up.

In an effort to level the indy bike shop vs. Internet sales price war Reynolds is launching a new Minimum Advetise Price Policy.

“MAP is our way of extending support to independent bike dealers and creating healthy competition among Internet retailers.” Under the policy, all Reynolds products offered for resale are advertised at 10% off MSRP. . . “As the landscape of bicycle, bicycle component and bicycle accessory distribution changes, it’s important to adjust and pay attention to what our customers are telling us. With these new programs we hope to show our customers we truly support and listen to their needs. Reynolds plans to remain a mainstay in the bicycle industry through not only technology and name, but as a partner to our IBDs,” says Aguero.

Yeah, we don’t know what that means exactly either. For the official word from Reynolds, follow the jump. [click to continue…]